The tournament consisted of only eight teams, four in the girlsÕ bracket and four in the guysÕ bracket. Each day, the team would practice in the morning, break for lunch, lounge around for a bit, and then they were off for their game.
In game one, the Crusaders took on a team from Woodward, Okla. Both teams battled to the end, but the Crusaders left with an overtime victory by six points.
In their second game, the scoreboard proved Marian to be the dominant team. Marian defeated Garden City, 92-41, tying a tournament record for the most points scored in one game set by Marian in 1995. Jaime Miller, sophomore, made a three-point shot with 10 seconds remaining to cap the victory. In their last game, the Crusaders fell to Star Spencer, Okla., losing by seven points. "We played well. We had our ups and downs," said Kresl.
The Crusaders brought home second place while Kresl and junior Ali Jones were chosen for the All Tournament Team.
Marian, 13-4, are now ranked number one in Class A in the Omaha World-Herald poll. They are expected to keep their position with the upcoming game against South High School on Feb. 19, and District play the following week.
"We try not to pay attention to ratings that much," said Kresl. "I think there are eight teams that can win State. We still have to go out there and play hard."